Article conveyer apparatus for packaging machines



Sept. 12,1944. M. 'J. MILMOE ETAL. 2,358,240

ARTICLE CONVEYER APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Original Filed Sept.- 17, 1957 S Sheets-Sheet l IN VENTORS. 0:62-79550 Sept. 12, 1944- M. J. MILMOE ETAL ARTICLE CONVEYER APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. 17, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR3 CHINES Sept. 12, 1944.

M. J. MILMOE #:rm.

ARTICLE CONVEYER APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MA Original Filed Sept. 17; 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 a. m 25 M 1 22 w 5 Z 0 am: M r a Z Maw 12 mfiw Septl2,v194 M. J MILMOE arm. 2,358,240 ARTICLE CONVEYER APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Original Filed Sept 17, 1937 5 Sheets$heet 4 Lillll Sept. 12, 1944. MILMOE ET'AL 2,358,240

ARTICLE CONVEYER APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Original Filed Sept. 17, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I Patented Sept. 12, 1944 ARTICLE CONVEYER APPARATUS FOR PACKAGING MACHINES Michael J. Milmoe, deceased, late ofiGl en Ellyn, 111., by Florence G. M. Milmoe, executrix, Grlen Ellyn, 111., and Clarence J. Malhiot, Oak Park, 111.; said Michael J. Milmoe and said Clarence J. Malhiot assignors to F. B. Redington Co, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinos I Original application September *17, 1937, Serial No. 164,364, 'now Patent No. 2,227,378, dated December 31, 1940. Divided and this applicatio October 31,1940, Serial No. 363,784 Y 23 Claims.

This invention relates to article processing machines, such as packaging machines and the like, and more particularly to new and improved article conveyer structures for use therewith.

It is an object of the invention to provide a for use with article processing machines, such as packaging machines or the like. 1 V I More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide an article conveyer structure foruse with machines of the foregoing type, which conveyer will accurately and positively present or deliver articlesto be processed to a packaging or other suitable station, the articles being presented in a predetermined timed sequence and in a given predetermined position. To this end the invention contemplates a conveyer structure wherein means is provided, such as agitator devices or the like, for insuring the proper passage of articles through the conveyer; wherein means is provided operable at proper predetermined intervals for releasing one or more articles in sequence for movement within the conveyer; and wherein means is provided for shifting or predetermining the position of the articles within the conveyer so that they will be presented to the packaging or other treating station in the proper and desired position.

Various other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following specification.

The accompanying drawings illustrate a selected embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Fig. l is an elevation of an improved machine,

. g 5 new 7 and improved article conveyer structure;

a metal container in the embodiment illustrated, for receiving the articles or tablets packaged by the machine; I 1

Fig. 8 is a detail elevational view of the article or tablet chute member associated with the conveyer; i V Fig.9 is 'a detail sectional view of theend of a chute member after a lateral row-oi" tablets have been arranged in the container;

' Fig. 9a is'a detail sectional view showing the operation of the pusher arm associated withthe chute member for movingthe row of tablets placed in the container to one side of the con-- tainer;

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 9 showinga second lateral row oi tablets arranged in the container; t

Fig. 10a'is a view showing theposition ofthe pusher arm after. a second lateral row of tablets has been inserted in the container; 7

Fig. 10b is a View similar to Fig. loa'but showing the pusher arm having pushed the second row of tablets into their normal position;

Fig. 11 is a view similarto Figs. 9 and 10 but .25 shows the three lateral rows of tablets positioned a tablet packaging machine, including a tablet or article conveyer constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top' plan view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic View of the escapement bars associated with'the conveyer showing them in one-of their operating positions;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 but showing the escapement bars in another of their operating positions;

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the escapement bars on the line 5- 5 oiFi'g. 4;

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional" view of an escapement bar on the line 56 of Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 isa perspective View of the receptacle,

in the container; Fig. 12 is an elevational ing it in two positions; I

V Fig. .13 is an elevational view of the pusher .bar showing the same in different positions;

Fig.14 is a plan'view of some of the mechanism at the lower end of the conveyer showing the tablet rotating bar and the tablet agitators; Fig..15 is a view similar toFi-g. 14 showing the view of the chute show agitators and the tablet rotating bar at approxi mately mid-stroke; i Fig. 16 is a view similarto Figs; 14 and. 15 but showing the position of the tablets atthe fulfillment of the stroke of the tablet rotating bar and agitators;

Fig. 1'7 is a view taken on the line l'll1 of Fig. 25 showing part of the tablet'agitators with tablets arranged in the channels of the conveyer; Fig. 18*is a view similar to Fig. 17 showing all of the agitators and the conveyor support bars and the channels for the tablets; 4

Fig. 19 is a detail elevational view of some of the mechanism showing the operation 1 o f"th'e pusherbar and'chute; V 1

Fig. 20 is a view similar to Fig. 19 but showing the pusher bar in its rearward position;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic representation of the movement of the tablet-alining pusher bar of Figs. 19 and 20.

Fig. 22 is a detail plan View of some of the mechanism shown inFig. 19 showing :the bracket for carrying. and operating the chute members;

Fig. 23 is a view similar to Fig. 22 showing the connecting arm for the tablet pusher bars, certain parts being omitted for the sake of clear ness;

Fig. 2.4 is an elevational view of an individual tablet agitator showing the mounting thereof;

Fig. 25 is an elevational view .of the inclined 11,5

conveyer or hopper and some of the actuating mechanism therefor; j

Fig. 26 is an elevational view of the bracket and tablet rails showing their connection to each other; and

Fig. 27 is a plan view of-the structure shownj in Fig. 26. V

The present invention is illustrated as applied to a machine for packaging disk shaped articles or tablets but the principle of operation of the disclosed machine is equally applicable to packaging of other articles. It is also to be understood that the conveyer structure hereinafter described and claimed may be applied to article processing machines of various types and kinds, other than packaging machines as shown. This application is a division of the joint application of Michael J. Mi lmoe and Clarence J. Malhiot, Serial No; 164,364, filed September 17, 1937; and

entitled Packaging machine and method of packaging; said application having been issued December 31, 1940, as Patent No. 2,227,378. The

the article or tablet conveyer structure. Referring to the drawings, the machine-disclosed in general comprises a packaging machine for packaging a plurality of tablets in a, container having a hinged top. The containers which receive the tablets are. carried by a chain conveyer along a predetermined path, which conveyer is driven intermittently or step'by step and has a series, of buckets or pockets for'receiving the c'ontamers in open position. As soon as the containers arrive'rlt a predetermined positiQn. apie e o p cutmateriai or paper is placed in the bottom of the container, the material being cut by areciprocating knife, the movement of which is automatically synchronized with the feeding movement of the conveyer. The conpresent application concerns more particularly tainers in the buckets continue along their path of movement until'they'arrive at a predetermined position under spaced chute members, whic'h have received a plurality of tablets from a tablet or article conveyer, to feed an exact number of tablets into each container at'a proper timed in terval, Additional means are provided adjacent the tablet-feeding means for positioning the tablets in the containers in auniform-manner. After the tablets areproperly positioned and. arranged in the container, the filled container is continued along a path of movement to a predetermined position where it receives'a slip, card or the like containing printed matter, such as directions pertaining to the use of the tablets. The container of tablets is then moved toanother predetermined position to receive a folded advertising circular in superposed relation with the tablets; The circular is first folded to proper shape and then fed into proper position in .the container. "When the folding mechanism, which folds and feeds the sprocket wheels 3, only one of these shafts and sprockets being shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The v procketwheels 3 support and operate a conveyer belt 4 which comprises a plurality of individual conveying buckets, receptacles or plates 5 having a package or container receiving pocket.

The buckets 5 are connected by links suitably secured to adjacent buckets by pins 1,

A small container l2, Fig, 7, is placed in each individual bucket 5 of the conveyer 4 and is fed along the path of the conveyer into the packaging machine. The conveyer buckets 5 carrying containers .12, are successively moved by the conveyer toa series of operating stations designated as stations A, B, C, D, E and F in the drawings,

see Figs. 1 and 2. At the station A a container is first accurately positioned with respect to the conveyer bucket by which it is carried, by means of a positioning pin l3 carried by oscillating lever l1, and thereafter a short section of paper is cut from a paper web 22,1Fig. 2, carried by a supply ;;roll .20, said section being deposited in proper position at the bottom ,of the container as best shown in Fig. 7. The details of operation of the positioning pin 13, and the mechanism for severing andplacing-the cut sections of web 22 in the bottom of the containers forms no part of "the herein claimed invention and accordingly is not herein specifically shown or described. A detailed showing of such mechanism appears in the aforementioned application. of Michael J. Milmoe and Clarence J. Malhiot, Serial No. 164,364, now Patent No. 2,227,378.

As each container, with theweb section 22 deposited in the bottom thereof, is moved by the conveyer 4 from the stationA, it will bepresented successively in step by step manner to the stations B, C and D immediately below a plurality of chute members 46, Figs. 1, 2; 8, 9, l2 and 19. The chute members 46 are disposed immediately above and in alignment with the conveyer-buckets, Fig. 1. These chute members 46 are not limited to any particular number, but a separate chute is provided for each individual row of tablets to be fed into the container. In the. present instance there are shown three chute members for feeding three individual rows of four tablets, there being four slideways for the four tablets in each chute.

Immediately above the. chute members are a plurality of members spaced to provide conveyer channels 41, Figs. 1, 2 and 25, in an inclined article or tablet conveyer 48. These channels permit the tablets to slide or roll downwardly and be a row of four tablets, Fig. 8. The conveyer 48 comprises atrans-mission' conveyer for the tablets, for transmitting them from the hopper 49 to the chute members 46. These chute members constitute a receiving conveyer, for receiving the tablets from the transmission conveyer, and for further transmitting them to the containers |2.

At the lower end of the inclined conveyer 48 and. disposed immediately above the channels 41 are a pair of escapement bars 58 and Figs. 1,

of limiting or stopping the tablets being fed.

The bars 59 and 5| have a plurality of recesses 53 each of which receives aspring 54 surrounding the pin 52, Figs. 5 and 6. The front escapement bar 5|, Figs. 1 and 25, is connected to a crank arm 55 by bolts 56. The crank arm 55 is pivoted around the shaft 51 and has extending beyond the pivot an extension- 58 which has a threaded aperture 59 adapted to r'eceivea bolt GIL-Fig. 25. The bolt 66 has threaded thereon a pair of nuts 6| which contact the extension 58 for securing the adjustment of the bolt. The bolt 60 on the arm55 contacts the underside of a bar 62, which is integrally connected to a second crank arm 63,

integral with a bearing 64 pivoted about the shaft 65. The shaft-65 may be carriedby the frame in any convenient manner.' A crank arm 66 extends from the bearing 64-and has a cam roller mounted at 61 which cooperates with a cam 68.

The back escapement bar 50 is integrally connected to'acrank arm 69 which is pivoted at 18.

The crank arm 69, Figj25,-has a threaded recess I 12 adapted to receive a threaded bolt 13 which contacts the bar 62 to limit the downwardmovement ofthe escapement bar 50. This bolt 13 is adjustable to predetermine 56.

The tablets 1|, Fig. 25, roll down the inclined article conveyer 48 in the channels 41 on their peripheral edges and come'in contact with the spring-urged pins 52 which are disposed in the back bar 58, and are stopped thereby. Each pin is spring-urged to prevent injury'to the tablets the movement of bar 7 when the pin. moves into clamping contact with .atablet 1|; Upon the'rotation of the cam 68 to reciprocate the arm 63'vertically upward, the

.crank arm 69' and the escapement bar 58 are lifted by the bar 62'from the position shown in Fig. 25 to move the pins 52 carried by this bar out of contact with the tablets; Simultaneously withithe lifting of the crank arm 69 by the 'extension 62, the crank arm is released for down- -ward movement around its'pivot 51 to bring the pins on the escapement bar 5| into position in front of'the tablets, as shown in Fig. 3. The

,escapement bar 50, therefore, allows only one tablet at a time to be fed from each channel to the escapement bar 5|. The furtherrotation of the cam 68 moves the arm 66 about its pivot to oscillate the arm 63 and bar 62 downwardly, so that this bar contacts the bolt 68 of the arm 55 and causes the arm 55 to pivot about the shaft 51. This downward movement of the extension 62 raises the arm-55 and its cooperating escapement bar 5| from-the position shown in Fig. 3 to the position shownin Fig. 4 torelease the tablets.

Simultaneously with the raising of 'the-bar 5 I, the

escapement bar, 50 moves downwardly to the'position shown in Figs. 4 and 25, whereby each pin 52 of this bar contacts a second tablet in each line of tablets and prevents further feeding movement of these and the succeeding tablets. The escapement bar 5| therefore in turn allows only a single tablet 1| of each channel to be fed into a tablet-rotating bar 14, Figs. 1, 14 and 25.

The tablet-rotating bar14, Figs. 1, 14-16 and 25, disposed immediately below the escapement bar 5| and adjacent the lower end of the inclined-conveyer. This bar 14 carries a bar 15 which is provided with a plurality of recesses 16, these recesses being equal in number to the.

number of channels 41. The bar 14, Figs. 1 and 25, is connected at one end by a link 11 to a pivot stud 18. ;At the other end it is connected to a bell crank lever, Fig. 1, having arms 19 and 88., The arm is pivoted at 8| to a link 82 for connection to its actuating mechanism (not shown).

The vertical reciprocation of the link 82 oscillates the bell crank which reciprocates the bar 14 and brings the recesses 16 into and out of alignment with the channels 41, as shown in Figs. 14 to 16. Fig. 14 shows the bar 14 at the extreme right-hand position of its stroke and just starting to move to the left. In this position a tablet 1|, fed past the escapement bar 5|, falls partially into a recess 16.. The continued movement of the 'bar 14 turns the tablet over to the position shown in Fig. 15 and then to the position shown in Fig. 16, inwhich latter position it is exactly perpendicular to its former position in channels 41. In the reciprocation of the bar 14 reciprocating tablet agitators or members 83 and 84, Figs. 14-18, assist in therepositioning' of the tablets 1|. The reciprocating tablet agitators 83 and 84 will be hereinafter described.

At the extreme left-hand position of the bar 14, the tablets 1|," having been repositioned, will be allowed to drop into the respective channels member 46, in position C the second four 'channels feed the second chute member 46, while in position D the last four channels feed the third chute member. 7

Each of the chute members has-associated therewith a finger member 81, Figs. 19, 20-and 23, pivoted'on a stud or shaft 88. Each finger member is provided above its lower end-89 with four finger extensions 96, Figs. 8, 19, 20 and 23.

The purpose of these extensions 9|] is to control the feed of the tablets 1| from the channels so that all four tabletsfor each chute member will be fed simultaneously into the container I2.

Each finger 81 has a pendulum movement about the stud 88, and all the fingers are controlled by a bar 9|, Figs. 19 and 23, mounted on pusher rods which will be hereinafter described.

The chute members 46 are bolted by bolts 92 to the vertical face 93 of an angular bracket 94, Figs. 19, 20 and 22, the horizontally extending arm of which is integrally connected with a boss 95 adjustably secured to an actuating rod 96.

Tablet pusher bars 91, Figs. 1,2, 13, 19, 20, 22

'and'23, which are positioned between the chute members 46, as best shown in Figs. land 2, are

carries a shaft or stud 99 to which a downwardly extending'link I is pivoted. The opposite end of the link I00 is pivoted to a shaft l0l, Figs. 19, 20 and 23, carried by the bar 9|. The shafts 98, which carry the pushers 91, extend through the bar 9| and are rigidly secured thereto as shown in Fig. 23. This bar -9I, which is positioned immediately behind the chute member 46 and below the bracket 94 extendstransversely of all three chute members 46 and cooperates with springs I 02, Figs. 19 and 20, mounted insaid chute members for controlling the movement of-the fingers 81. The movements of these fingers control the feed of tablets viously stated. 1 V

The pusher bar shafts 98, Figs. 19 and 20', for the pusher bars 97, have-at their rear ends bearings I03positioned onthe shafts 98 by collars I04 and II2, the collars I04 being fastened to the shafts and the collars II2 being loose thereon. The bearings I03 have downwardly extending levers I05 attached thereto, asindicated at I06. At. its lower end each lever I05, is integrally II into thevcontainer I2 as preconnected with 'aboss portion I0I fastened to a shaft I08. -Also fastened to the shaft is a lever I09, carrying a roller IIO which contacts a cam This cam III, upon rotation, moves the roller H0, which, through levers I09 and I05,

causesreciprocation .of.the pusher bar shafts 98.

A helical spring II3,1mounted between a rear collar I04, Fig. 19, fastened? to eachshaft 98 and the collar I l2,acts as a safety spring to V permit the bearing I03- to moveidly relative to its shaft98 if the pusher 91 in the rearward movement encounters any undue resistance.

The chute-actuating rod 96', Figs. '19 and 20, extends vertically downward from the boss 95 and isfastened at its lower'end to a boss II4, Fig. 19, which carries ahorizontal arm II5. At the endofthe arm II 5 is a boss II6 which is adaptedrto receive a rod or link I I 'I. The rod I I1 is positioned against displacement in the boss II6 by the collars H8 and I I9. The rod or link II'I extends vertically upward and in parallel alignment with the rod 96 and has at its upper end a yoke J20, pivoted at I2I to an arm I22 of a bell crankpivoted at I24. 'Iheother arm I23 of the bell crank carries a cam roller I 25 which cooperates with a drivingcam (not shown). The rotation of the cam moves the roller I25 and causesthe bell crank lever to pivot about its pivot, I24, to vertically reciprocate the link II! and the rod 96. v

' Thepath along which thepusher bars 91, are moved by the'shafts 98 and-the rod 96 is diagrammatically shown in Fig. 21. The upward reciprocation of the rod-'96 takes place during the forward movement of the shafts 98 and consequently the pusher barsmove diagonally upwardly and forwardly, asishownin Fig. 19, during the vertical upward movement of the chute members 46. Each chute member in its upper position receives in its channels 85 a set of four tablets fed from'the recesses I6 of the tablet-rotating bar 14- The tablets which have been fed into the channels 85 areheld therein by the extensions 90 on the pivoted fingers 81.

. In this position of the extensions 90, the pusher ,movement of therod 96 the shaft98 is inopermounted on pusher shafts 98. The bracket 94 ati-ve and consequently the chute members 46 and pusher. bars 9'! move vertically downward as a unit until the rod :96 approaches theend of its travel when the shaft 98 begins to move rearwardly. Rearward movement of the shaft 98 causes thebar 9| to move-away from the chute members to thereby release the springs I02. Thesprings I02 move the fingers 81 backwardly and allow fourtablets to fall from each chute member into the front of. a container I2 positioned at the points B, C and Din Figs. 1' and 2. The feeding positions of the tablet in the front of the container are shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11, Fig. 9 showing the first row of tablets in initial position in the container; Fig. 10 showing the second row of tablets in initial position and the first row of tablets inadjusted position; and Fig. 11 showing the third row of tablets in fed position and the first and second rows of tab letsin adjusted position.

As shown more particularly in Figs. Land 2, the pusher bars 91 overlie the buckets positioned between thechute members. Consequently these bars, when therod 96 has completed its downwardmovement, engage thefirst and second rowsof tablets which initially are fedto the same relativeposition in the container as shown in Figs. 9, 9a, 10 and 10a. The rod 96 having completed its downward movement, the shaft 98 continues to move rearwardly and causes the pusher bars 91, engaged with the first and second rows of tablets,qto move the same toward the rear of the container,as showntin dotted lines in Figs. 9a and 10?), thereby properly positioning the tablets in these rows in the containers. I

This movement having been completed, the shafts 98 and pusher bars 91 are then moved forwardly to clear the tablets and having cleared the same the rod 96 again moves upwardly while the sha'ft98 moves forwardly, thereby returning the chute member and pusher bars to their positions shown in Fig. 19 and setting the fingers B'I for reception and retention of tablets in said chute member. s

As shown in Fig.11, the third row of tablets is initially fed into its proper position adjacent the front edge of the container. Therefore a pusher bar 97 is not provided for this row of tablets.

As the containers with the three rows of tablets arranged therein leave the last chute member 46 at station D, they are transmitted to a station E, Figs. 1'and'2, where a slip I26, containing printed matter or instructions, is placed in superposed position upon th tablets "II in each container. The slips I26 are carried by a hopper I21, and are adapted tobe transmitted by suitable mechanism onto the tablets 'in the container.

From the station E the containers are then moved by oonveyer 4 to the station F, Figs. 1 and 2, where the lid I15, Fig. 7, of each container is engaged by a fixed guide member I'I6 which operates to move the lid to closed position. However, a an incident to the lid-closing operation, and just prior to the completion thereof, mechanism including a'series of folders I45, I58, I62, I65, I66 and a series of feed rolls such as rolls I 41, I48 and rolls I53, I54 also disposed at station F, operate to fold and introduce a circular I44 onto the slip I 26 and under the lid. .The lid is then looked in closed position by-means of a presser roll I80,the com- "Pletelyloaded containers then-being delivered by sorting the slips I26, for closing the container lids and for folding and inserting the circulars I44 forms no part of the herein claimed invention and need not be specifically described. A detailed description of this mechanism appears in the aforesaid application of Michael J. Milmoe and Clarence J Malhiot, Serial No. 164,364, now issued as Patent No. 2,227,378.

- Referring further to the conveyer'for transmitting the tablets to the chute members 46,'it will'be seen that the hopper 49, Fig. 25, is mounted on an angular frame bracket I85, which is attached to a main frame bracket 8. The top portion of the bracket I85 supports the hopper 49, the tablet-agitator bars 83 and 84, and tablet rails I86 to form the inclined conveyer 48. This inclined conveyer consists of a plurality of feed,

channels 41, as hereinbefore described.

The tablet rails I86 are connected at the rear and front of the hopper to transverse bar I81 and I92 which are bolted to the frame bracket I85 in any suitable manner as by bolts I88, shown at the right of Fig. 25. Each rail I86 has pins I89 at opposite ends thereof, and these pins are adapted to fit into recesses I90 in the bars I81 and I92. The rail I86 fit into recesses I9I which are disposed perpendicular to th recesses I98, Figs. 26 and 27.

The inclined conveyer 48 has a plurality of tablet-agitator bars 83 and 84, disposed between and above the tablet rails I86, Figs. 17 and 18,

there being a pair of agitator bars for each channel 41. These tablet agitators 83 and 84 are supported at the back of the conveyer by supportin bars I94 and I95, and at the front by a support bar I96, Fig. 24, and by a bar (not shown). The support bar I94 for the bars 84, at the rear of the inclined conveyer, has integral therewith at both ends a shaft I91. The agitating bars 83, which cooperate with the agitating bars 84, are carried. in a similar manner by a support bar, I95, having shaft extensions I98 a both ends. These support bars and shafts are parallel and adjacent to each other and extend through an aperture I84 in the hopper 49, Fig. 25.

At the upper end of the conveyer, the support I94, carried by the shaft I91, is interconnected with arms I99. These arms I99, one at each end of the support I94, are rigidly mounted on a shaft 2IlI journaled at both ends in the hopper support bracket I85. Mounted on the front end of the shaft 20 I, Fig. 25, is a lever 293 connected at 284 to a link 285. The link 205 is rotatably fastened to a crank 296 driven by means (not shown). Rotation of the crank 286 therefore imparts a reciprocating movement to the agitator bars 84. The shaft'extensions I98 are rotatably mounted in levers 281 rigidly mounted on the shaft 269. Fastened to the back end of shaft 209, Fig. 25, is a lever 2H] connected at 2 to a link 2 I 2. Thelink 2I2 is rotatably fastened to a crank 2I3 driven by means (not shown). Rotation of the crank 2I3 imparts a, reciprocating movement to the bars 83. The connecting mechanisms for actuating the agitator bars 83 and 84 are similar in every detail. The link 285 and its actuating mechanism for the bars 83 is disposed on one side of the hopper, while the link 2 I2 and its actuating mechanism for the bars84 is disposed on the opposite side of the hopper. The supporting bar I96 at the lower end of the conveyer 48 has a shaft portion 2I4 at each end, which is adapted to be received in connecting levers 2I5 for supporting the agitator bars. The levers 2I5 have openings 2I6 adapted to receive the shaft portions 2I4 providing a movable support, swinging I veyer 48.

in an arc, and allowing the reciprocation of the agitating bars 84. The support levers 2 I 5 at their opposite ends are supported by the shaft 51 carried by the frame I for supporting the bar I96which carries thetablet agitator bars 84. A similar mechanism mounted on the shaft 10 supports the tablet agitators 83.

The bars 83 and 84 are reciprocated so that on the forward stroke of one bar the other is moving backwards' This is obvious,-since the bars 83 and 84 feed the tablets down the tablet rails I86 into a position to be received by the tablet-rotating bar 14, Fig. 14., The bars 83 in their forward position, in conjunction with the bars '84 at their backward position, cooperate with the bar 14 in turning the tablets around in position to be fed into the chute 'members. The reciprocation of the bars 83 and84 have the further'purpose of agitating and feeding the tablets along the channels .41 of the inclined con- It is to be understood that the packaging machinefhereinbefore described has its various actuating mechanisms connected to a main drive shaft (not shown) for synchronizing the series of operations in timed relationship.

veyer buckets 5 and properly positioned therein by the pin I3 just prior to reaching the position A, Fig. l, where a slip of paper 22 is fed and cut off and finally inserted in the bottom of the container. The containers are then moved in succession by the intermittently operating conveyer to the position B, under the first chute member 46, where each container receives the first row of tablets 1|, coming from the inclined conveyer 48 past the escapement bars 58 and- 5I, to be turned around by the rotating bar 14 and allowed to fall into the chute member 46.

The-pusher bar 91 positions the row of tablets to the back of the container at the next position, after which it is fed along to positionC. At this position it receives a second row of tablets by repeating the same cycle of operation, and in its next position the second pusher bar 91 properly positions the second row of tablets along the median line of the container. The conveying of the container with the two rows of tablets to the position D allows it to receive a third row of tablets from the chute member at this point.

When a container is moved to position D to receive the last row of tablets, the conveyer has positioned additional containers at positions C and 13 and 'A to receive the second and first row of tablets and the bottom paper or slip 22, respectively. After' each container is filled it is then conveyed to position E to receive the top slip I26 fed from the hopper I21. The slip is fed by suitable mechanism into each container in into superposing relationship with the tablets Each container I2 is next conveyed to the positlon F, where a printed circular I44 which has been folded by the folding devices is inserted into the container. The lid I15 of each container I2, while approaching the position F, contacts the angular guide member I16 which functions to move the lid I15 toward a closed position, but the-lid is prevented from closing completely until the folded circular hasbeen inserted.

after the folded circular is inserted, thereontamer is conveyed under a presser'roll I88 which applies pressure upon the partially closed con-, tainer lid to snap thelid I15 into complete closed position to form galcompleted package.

It will be. seen that-after the containers l2 have been placed in the buckets 5 the packaging machine automatically performs its series of operations to provide a container with its full contents, andthen completely closes the container to form a completed package, this automatic operation being accomplished without any manual means whatsoever.

Changes maybe made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the. spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of itsadvantages, and the right is hereby ireserved tomake all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of the following claims. The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

1. In combination with a packaging machine for packaging tablets, an inclined conveyer comprising a plurality of tablet-supporting bars and a plurality of pairs of tablet-agitating bars, said supporting bars and pairs of agitating bars forming a plurality of tablet-receiving channels in the conveyer, means for reciprocating the agitating bars to feed the tablets, means for limiting the number of tablets being fed from the conveyer, and; means adjacent the conveyer comprising a transversely shiftable member-movable in predetermined timed relation with the agitating bars for rotating the tablets from one predetermined direction to another predetermined direction.

. 2. In combination with a, packaging machine for packaging tablets, a conveyer comprising a plurality of inclined tablet supporting bars along which the tablets roll edgewise and a plurality of pairs of tablet-agitating bars, said supporting barsand pairs of agitating bars forming a plurality of tablet receiving channels in the conveyer, means for reciprocating the agitating bars to feed the tablets along the supporting bars, and means adjacent the conveyer shiftable transversely, of the conveyer and cooperatively associated with the agitating bars for rotating the tablets to feed the tablets 'fiatwise from the conveyer. .7 g

3. In an article packaging machine or. the like, a conveyer for feedingthe articles comprising a plurality of fixed inclined article supporting bars transversely aligned, and a pair of article agitating bars between adjacent article supporting bars, said supporting bars and. agitating bars forming a plurality of article receiving and feed- -ing channels in the conveyer, and means for clined conveyer channel down which articles are adapted to be propelled by gravity, a pair of agitator members symmetrically disposed with respect to the channel and simultaneously engageable with the articles on the conveyer to facilitate the movement of the articles, means for propelling each of said agitators in a direction longitudinally of the axis of the conveyer, and blocking and release means associated with the conveyer channel and operative to effect the successive release of the articles therethrough,

said agitators and said blocking and release means being driven in predetermined timed relationl 5. In an article processing machine, a conveyer structure along which articles of prede- I termined shape are adapted to be propelled, a

withdrawable agitator member engageable with the articles on the conveyer to facilitate the mogvement thereof, means operable upon the articles at a predetermined point in their path of travel to effect the repositioning thereof, and means for withdrawing said agitator member during the operation of said repositioning means and in predetermined timed relation therewith, said agitator member being shaped to accommodate the path of travel followed by the articles during their repositioning. v

6. In an article processing machine, an elemgated conveyer structure along which articles; are adapted to be propelled, a reciprocable agitator member extending longitudinally of said conveyer and engageable with the articles on the conveyer to facilitate the movement thereof, means operatively associated with the conveyer to reposition the articles so that portions thereof are projected laterally, and means for controlling the reciprocable movements of the agitator member to permit such lateral movement.

7. In an article processing machine, a con-- veyer structure along which articles are adaptedto be propelled, a pair of reciprocable agitator members forming walls oneither side of the conveyer and engageable with the articles on the conveyer to facilitate their movement, laterally shiftable means operatively associated with the conveyer for repositioning the article's thereon toefiect the lateral shifting thereof in one direction, and means for simultaneously withdrawing the agitator member on one side of the conveyor and to project the other agitator member into article blocking position to facilitate such lateral movement.

8. In an article processing machine, a cone veyer structure comprising a plurality of parallel channels along which articles are adapted to be propelled, and means including a member shiftable transversely of the channel axes and simultaneously engageable with the articles transmitted through said plurality of channels to effect the twisting of the articles and the repos'it-ioning thereof.

9. In an article processing machine a conveyer structure along which articles are adapted tobe propelled, and means operatively associated with the conveyer including a member shiftable transversely of the conveyer axis and engageable with the articles to effect the twisting of the articles and therepositioning thereof, said mem ber having a pocket into which at least a portion of each article is adapted to project to effect the twisting thereof.

10. In an article processing machine, a plurality'of parallel conveyers along which articles are adapted to be propelled, means operatively associated with the conveyers including a member shiftable transversely of the-conveyer axes and engageable with the articles to effect the twisting of the articles and the repositioning thereof, said member having a-series'of pockets, one cooperable with each of said conveyers and into which at least a portion of each of the art-icles is adapted to engage whereby as said member is shifted the articles engaged in-said pockets are twisted and repositioned.

11. In an article processing machine, a first conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled, a Second article conveye'r' structure adapted to receive the articles from the first conveyer, and article repositioning engageable with the articles at the repositioning station for twisting them substantially on their own individual axes, said member having a pocket into which a portion of the articles is received to efiect the twisting thereof.

12. In an article processing machine, a transmission conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive alignment, an agitator member engageable with the articles on the transmission conveyer to facilitate their movement, a receiving conveyer provided with means arranged to receive and bodily retain the articles, said receiving conveyer being reciprocably movable from a position adjacent the transmission conveyer to a position removed therefrom, blocking and release means arranged at a predetermined point on the transmission conveyer for efiecting the successive blocking and release of the articles in predetermined timed relation for delivery to the receiving conveyer, and means for operating the agitator member and for bodily shifting the receiving conveyer in timed relation with the operation of the blocking and release means.

'13. In an article processing machine, a conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive aligned relation, blocking and release means arranged at a predetermined point on the conveyer for effecting the successive blocking and release of the articles in predetermined timed relation, means comprising a shiftable member having an article receiving pocket operable upon the articles as they are released for effecting the rotatable repositioning thereof with respect to the conveyer, and means for operating the shiftable member in predetermined timed relation with the blocking and release means.

14. In an article processing machine, a conveyer structure comprising a plurality of parallel channels along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive aligned relation, block ing and release means arranged at a predetermined point on each of said channels for efiecting the successive blocking and release of the articles in predetermined timed relation, said blocking and release means comprising a pair of alternately operable release members alternately engageable with the articles, means for operating said members comprising a common operating member operatively connected to all of said members whereby to control the accurate timed functioning thereof, means comprising a shiftable member having article receiving pockets operable upon the articles as they are released for effecting the repositioning thereof with respect to the conveyer, and means for operating th shiftable member in predetermined timed relation with the blocking and release means.

15. In an article processing machine, a conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive aligned relation, a pair of agitator members on either side of the conveyer engageable with the articles on the conveyer to facilitate their movement, blocking and release means arranged at a predetermined point on the conveyer for effecting the successive blocking and release of the articles in predetermined timed relation, repositioning means engageable upon the articles as they are delivered from the blocking and release means, said repositioning means including a member engageable with the articles for twisting them substantially on their own individual axes, and discharge means adapted to receive the articles from the repositioning means.

16. In an article processing machine, a transmission conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive alinement, a receiving conveyer arranged to receive and retain the articles, blocking and release means arranged at a predetermined point on the transmission conveyer for effecting the successive blocking and release of the articles in predetermined timed relation for delivery to the receiving conveyer, means for bodilyshifting the receiving conveyer along a reciprocatory path of travel in timed relation with the operation of said blocking and release means, and a second blocking and release means for the receiving conveyer operable in predetermined timed relation with the shifting movement of said receiving conveyer. 17. An article processing machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said repositioning means comprises a member shiftable laterally of the conveyer.

18. An article processing machine as defined in claim 6, wherein said repositioning means comprises a member having a pocket into which a portion of the articles is received.

19. In an article processing machine, an elongated, conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled, and means operatively associated with the conveyer to reposition the articles so that a portion thereof is projected laterally, said repositioning means comprising a first member shiftable longitudinally of the con-.

veyer axis, and a second member shiftable transversely of the conveyer axis, and common drive means for both said members whereby they are operated in predetermined timed relation.

20. An article processing machine as defined in claim 5, wherein said agitator member comprises an elongated member of generally uniform cross sectional contour, and wherein said agitator member cooperates with the repositioning means in the repositioning of the articles.

21. In an article packaging machine or the like, a conveyer for feeding the articles, said conveyer comprising a plurality of parallel elongated support surfaces along which the articles are adapted to be moved, and a pair of article agitating bars between adjacent article support surfaces, said support surfaces and agitating bars forming a plurality of article receiving and feeding channels in the conveyer, and means for simultaneously reciprocating adjacent agitating bars in opposite directions longitudinally of the conveyer to feed the articles along said support surfaces.

22. In an article processing machine, a conveyer structur along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive aligned relation, said conveyer structure comprising a support surface along which the articles are adapted to be propelled, and a pair of agitator members engageable with opposite sides of the articles while on said support surface, blocking and release means arranged at a predetermined point on the conveyer for efiecting the successive blocking and release of the articles in predetermined timed relation, means comprising a shiftable member operable upon the articles as they are released for effecting the repositioning thereof with respect to theconveyer, and means for operating the shiftable member in predetermined timed relation with the blocking and release means.

23. In an article processing machine, a conveyer structure along which articles are adapted to be propelled in successive aligned relation,

for operating the shiftable member in predetermined timed relation with the blocking and release means.

FLORENCE G. M. MILMOE.

5 Emecutria: of the Estate of Michael J. Mz'lmoe,

Deceased.

CLARENCE :Ti MALHIOT.. 

